Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley is situated at altitude of 1336m above sea level and has occupied an area of 218sq miles. The valley has three major cities are Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. These three cities are Newar indigenous inhabitants. There are hundreds of temples, and places, paved stone and metal images, carved wooden columns and pillars, these are Newari’s artistic achievements. Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Changunarayan, Kathmandu Durbar Square are some of the interesting places. The Royal Narayanhity Palace which has been changed into museum named Narayanhity Museum.
Pashupatinath Temple
This temple is the biggest and most important Hindu Temple in Nepal. It is temple of Lord Shiva who is the destroyer and creator of Hindu religion. According to the religion Shiva appears in many forms. And his peaceful incarnations are named Mahadev and Pashupati lord of beasts. The temple with two golden roof and silver door is considered one of the holiest shrines for Hindus. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple but visitors can clearly see from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River.
Boudhanath
dsc00657It is one of the biggest stupa in the world and the centre of Tibetans. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979. The base of the stupa symbolizes “earth”. There are up four tiered round domes which symbolize “water” and spire symbolizes “fire”. The umbrella shape symbolizes “air”. The last and top of the part pinnacle symbolizes “ether”.
Swayambhunath
This is one of the world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas . It is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the four sides of spire’s base are the all-seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It is situated on a hillock about 77m above the level of the Kathmandu valley and from here can clearly seen excellent view of the valley. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage monument List in 1979.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
It is historic seat of royalty. The Durbar Square with its old temples and places, epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people. It is here that kings of Nepal were crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things to see from here are:Taleju temple built by king Mahendra Malla in 1549 AD, the temple of Kal Bhairab, Nautale Durbar (nine storey palace), the statue of king Pratap Malla ,the big Drum. There are also the Numismatic Museum and Tribhuvan king Museum inside the Hanuman Dhoka palace building. Photography is prohibited inside the museum. The museum remains closed on Tuesday and government holidays.
Patan
The ancient city of Patan situated 5km southeast of Kathmandu is known as the city of fine arts. The city is full of Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments. In Patan there’s an old palace called Patan palace. The Patan Durbar Square is full of ancient palaces, temples and shrines and exquisite carvings. The Patan Durbar Square consists of three mail chowks(courtyard),the central chowk, Sundari(beauty) chowk and Keshar Narayan Chowk. The Sundari Chowk holds in the centre and masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal Bath. Inside the Durbar Square there’s Patan museum, specializes in bronze statutes and religious objects. It is considered one of the best museum in Asia.
Bhaktapur
dsc09426Situated at an altitude of 1401m and has occupied an area of four square miles. Bhaktapur city of devotee’s skill retains a medieval charms and visitors to this ancient town are treated to myriad wonders of cultural and artistic achievements. The past glory of the Malla rullers continued to reflect at the Durbar Square. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. The Palace of 55 Windows is famous in Bhaktapur. The palace was built by king Ranjit Malla. The palace was built in 1700 AD. The balcony of the palace 55 Windows is a masterpiece of wood carving. The stone temples of Batsala Devi is full of intricate carvings. There’s a bronze bell on the entrance of the temple which is also known as the “Bell of Barking Dogs”. The bell was placed in 1773 AD was rung to signal curfew and war of during those days.
Nagarkot
Situated 32km east of Kathmandu at an altitude 2175m above sea level. It is a popular tourist resort of Nepal. The panorama of major peaks of the eastern Nepal Himalaya Mt. Everest in the extreme north-east, Mt. Annapurna can be seen from here. Nagarkot is famous for sunrise and sunset viewing. Nagarkot means ‘fort of the city’. It was the ancient trade route between Tibet and Kathmandu.
Changunarayan
Situated at the end of a long ridge which runs well into the valley. It is said to have been built by king Hari Dutta in 323 AD and said to be the oldest temple in the valley. The temple is beautiful and historic temple. Its origins go right back to the 4th century and many important stone images and sculptures dating from the Lichhavi period. It was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Monument List in 1979.